John Cusack Faces the Apocalypse

Set up Columbia, "2012" focuses on some sort of global cataclysm that brings about the end of days, forcing plucky survivors to do those things that plucky survivors do to survive. The actual specifics of the cataclysm are a bit fuzzy, but the project's budget was initially described as being in the $200 million range.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cusack would play a divorced dad who works as a limo driver to support his writing and has to go on a journey to save his family.

In addition to the Cusack casting, the trade paper says that Chiwetel Ejiofor is in talks to play a heroic government science advisor.

The "2012" script was written by Emmerich and Harald Kloser. Their most recent collaboration, the spring release "10,000 B.C." was mocked by critics, but has taken in more than $265 million worldwide.

Cusack is in the midst of a slow period at the box office. While he had a hit last summer with "1408," recent releases "Grace Is Gone," "Martian Child" and "War, Inc." have been less successful.

Ejiofor can currently be seen on the big screen in "Redbelt." Other recent credits include "Talk to Me" and "American Gangster."